Dear Friends
The book of Acts is a basic text-book for church planters. It is an exciting read – with many insights into how the first believers in Jesus’ resurrection shared their faith, made disciples and gathered them in households (oikos) or relational streams.
However, what really stands out is that the Holy Spirit was in charge! Acts is the record of the activities of the Holy Spirit. He empowered the witness of Peter on the Day of Pentecost. He performed the miracles. He led Philip to meet the Ethiopian. He led Cornelius to call for Peter – and prepared Peter to respond. He led Jewish believers to cross the boundaries to share faith with Gentiles. He filled Saul’s life – for his ministry to Gentiles. He spoke to the church in Antioch. He anointed Paul and Barnabas for their church planting missionary journeys. He stopped Paul from going further into Asia – and led him to Europe. He was the leader of the first churches – through household leaders who were full of the Holy Spirit.
God is the missionary. It is his mission. Church planters cooperate with him.
Be encouraged and inspired. Read through the book of Acts again this week.
Peter Roennfeldt
CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 10 July 2011
Church Plant in Lions Club: A new church, planted last year in the Kellerberin Lions Club building – called the Lions Den, now has an attendance of more than 20 people. ‘Making the Lions Den our base is reflective of being intentionally incarnational,’ says planter Clark Riggins. ‘Our focus is on prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and direct church.’ Some may call this ‘simple church’ – for every believer in involved and contributing. Kellerberin is in the wheat-belt region of Western Australia
Restart Builds Relationships for God: Veronica is now a university student and part of the core team of Restart, a church plant in Ostrava (Czech Republic). She came to faith through talks that Radim, the leader of Restart, gave at her secondary school – and an invitation to talk about relationships and the Bible. Roman was baptized two years ago and is very involved in the team of Restart. He lived in a flat near Radim and his family – and came to faith through the renewal of a long-term friendship shared with Radim. Another Roman, preparing for baptism this summer, participated in the Czech Church Planters X-change this past week. Restart ‘Refresh’ provides opportunities for counsel, support, a place for university students to relax and party. Restart ‘Exit’ is a club for teens – for them to hang-out and explore life issues. Radim is qualified and invited to visit schools to speak on relationships.
For more stories of church plants in the Czech Republic see www.newchurchlife.com –
Restart Connects with Many Through TenSing
Znojmo Cafe Port – a great church plant!
Transforming a Community for Christ: Sheryl Sinclair (Granny) and Delys Reynolds have big hearts for the children – many of whom are indigenous from low-socioeconomic homes, in their small town of Northampton in Western Australia. For some years they have run a Saturday Kid’s Hour – with 10-20 kids exploring Bible stories in fun and interactive ways. Granny’s home is open as a drop-in centre for the kids if they need a safe haven, care, a place to hang out and talk. Granny’s Drop-in-Centre has books and DVD/CDs for kids and adults. Sheryl and Delys also run practical skills workshops on Mondays and Thursdays – with boys and girls currently learning to knit (which they all like!). Tuesday night is Bible reading time for parents and relatives of the kids!
Church Planters X-Change in Czech Republic: 50-60 highly motivated people have just spent a week together at a ‘penzion’ beside Ce? lake (in the Czech Republic) to share ideas with each other and to equip to multiply new plants. Vitek Vurst, church planting coordinator in Bohemia, knows the value of such an X-Change. He says, ‘If it were not for the X-Change I attended in Germany in 2005, I would possibly not be a pastor or even in the church today. I gained new paradigms for my faith and ministry. I could not be a pastor like I was before.’ Eight church planting teams participated – with new teams gaining inspiration and forming plans. The X-Change concluded with an Agape Meal (see www.newchurchlife.com for Agape Meal Ideas).
Resources
DIALOGUE Conference – Ordinary People, Extraordinary God: Aug 27-28, 2011 at the the Paynesville Community Centre, The Esplanade Paynesville, VIC Australia. Bookings:03 5156 0065 or [email protected].
Exponential presents NEXT Nuts & Bolts Church Planting Conference – at Church @ Springs in Ocala, Florida, Aug 9-10, 2011. Are you planting a church? Are you thinking of planting a church? Does your church need a re-launch? This is a practical HOW TO DO IT conference! For registration details go to www.NEXTConference.com
CHURCH PLANTING NEWS